Folding table

ABSTRACT

A folding table having a multiplicity of leg members pivotably connected to the table top to be swung relative the table top between a folded storage position adjacent the table top and an open position extending transversely from the table top to support the table in standing position. Sleeve means are provided to slide on selected leg means and a leg brace assembly is provided to be connected to such sleeve means so the leg brace assembly can be moved along the leg means relative to the table top. The leg brace assembly is also received by selected sleeve means so the overall length of the leg brace assembly is decreased to allow the legs to be pivoted to a folded position adjacent the table top.

United States Patent Tennant [54] FOLDING TABLE [72] Inventor: Charles E. Tennant, Collinsville, lll.

FORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Denmark l. 108/! I 1 Great Britain 108/! l 1 Primary E.raminer-Francis K. Zugel Attorney-Ralph B. Brick [5 7] ABSTRACT A folding table having a multiplicity of leg members pivotably connected to the table top to be swung relative the table top between a folded storage position adjacent the table top and an open position extending transversely from the table top to support the table in standing position. Sleeve means are provided to slide on selected leg means and a leg brace assembly is provided to be connected to such sleeve means so the leg brace assembly can be moved along the leg means relative to the table top. The leg brace assembly is also received by l 063 642 6/1913 Birdsa" 108/132 X selected sleeve means so the overall length of the leg brace as- 1757260 5/1930 silvermgnmj 108/1 32 sembly is decreased to allow the legs to be pivoted to a folded l,888,740 1 H1932 Schauman 108/1 30 Position adjacent the able P- 3 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures l o 1 km 1 4a i 6!? i 1 6 i V l2 PATENTEDHAY 9 I972 3,661,100

sum 1 OF 3 I I INVENTR. FIG. 3 CHARLES E nwmvr ATTORNEY PATENTEDMAY 9 1972 mm 2 [IF 3 INVENTOR. CHARLES E. TEN/VAN T v .N i k a mu m .M at 2 F E It ATTORNEY PATENTEDMM 9 I972 3, 661 1 O0 SHEET 3 [IF 3 INVENTOR.

CHARLES E. TENNANT FOLDING TABLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Folding tables are provided for various uses, for example where space is at a premium and it is necessary to periodically move the tables to provide additional space or in temporary service where the tables are used for a short period of time and are then stored or transported to other locations.

Various folding tables have included arrangements providing a table top to be set on a collapsible leg assembly frame where the top and the leg assembly frame are separated before the table is folded. Such arrangements are cumbersome and frequently either the frame assembly or the top is lost in trans port or storage.

Other arrangements have provided leg means pivotably attached to the table and adapted to be folded to the underside of the table when the table is not in use and swung outwardly from the table to a position transverse the top when the table is erected. Leg braces are frequently provided to support the legs in the erect position and, generally, no support has been provided to connect the legs together adjacent the lower ends thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is recognized that the present invention provides a straightforward, easily fabricated, inexpensive folding table including leg means which are readily swung outwardly relative the table top and a leg brace assembly which can be selectively positioned along the legs to connect the legs together and hold them in rigid position to support the table top.

Furthermore, it is recognized that the table provided by the present invention advantageously provides a leg brace assembly to rigidly support the table in the erect position where the leg brace assembly can be selectively positioned along the leg means to provide a shelf beneath the table top.

Moreover, it has been recognized that the present invention provides a table arrangement with a leg brace and adjustable shelf assembly where the legs can be selectively offset from the edges of the table to minimize obstruction of the edges of the table.

Various other features of the present invention will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth hereinafter.

More particularly, the present invention provides a folding table comprising: a table top; a multiplicity of leg means pivotably attached to the table top so the leg means can be swung relative the table top between a first position adjacent, and generally parallel to the table top and a second position extending generally laterally from the table top; first sleeve means slidably attached to the leg means to be moved along the leg means from a first position adjacent the table top to a second intermediate position along the leg means; connecting shaft means interconnecting selected first sleeve means; second sleeve means connected to the connecting shaft means; leg brace means having one end connected to selected connecting shaft means and a second end received in sliding telescopic relation in second sleeve means so a portion of the leg brace means is received by and withdrawn from the second sleeve means as the leg means are folded to and away from the table top.

It is to be understood that the example of a table in accordance with the present invention given hereinafter is not by way of limitation and that various other arrangements can be provided within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims hereinafter set forth.

Referring now to the drawings which show an example of a folding table in accordance with the present invention:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an example of a table in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along a plane passing through line 2- 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view, partly in section, of the table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along a plane passing through line 4- 4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view, partly in section, taken along a plane passing through line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view taken along a plane passing through line 6-6 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 is a view taken along a plane passing through line 7- 7 ofFIG. 2; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the table of FIG. 1 in a folded position.

The example of a table in accordance with the present invention, as shown in the figures, includes a table top 1 having depending leg means which include spaced leg pairs 2a and 2b at opposite ends of the table and a leg support assembly including support members 12 extending between leg pairs 2a and 2b, as hereinafter described.

Referring to FIG. 4, it will be seen that leg pair 2a is connected to a rod member 17a which is journalled in bearings 18a connected to bracket 19 disposed beneath the edges of table top 1. A depending table edge assembly In extends from table top 1 to support brackets 19.

Leg pair 2b is supported by a similar arrangement at the opposite end of table top 1 and it will be noted, as shown in FIG. 1, that one leg member of pair 24 is adjacent a first edge of table top 1 and the other leg is inset from the opposite edge of top 1. Leg pair 2b is disposed adjacent the opposite end of top 1 with one leg of pair 2b adjacent the second edge of top 1 opposite the first edge to provide maximum stability for the table top and minimize obstruction of two corners of the table.

Pivotal movement of leg assemblies 2a, 2b with respect to table top 1 can be limited, for example, by a brace support member 4a pivotably connected to depending edge la on the side of the table adjacent the leg of pair 2a which is near the side edge of the table while a second support member 4b can be connected to depending edge 1a on the opposite side of the table to be connected to the leg of pair 2b adjacent that edge of the table. In each such brace assembly a pin 8 is provided to connect through each brace 41:, 4b, respectively, with a cooperative aperture in each leg 2a, 2b (not shown). Pin 8 can be fastened to support member 4a, by means ofa chain 15.

As shown in the figures, each leg of pairs 2a, 2b can be provided with an adjustable base for example foot 27 having a threaded element 26 to be received in a hollow portion of the respective leg member. Each foot 27 is rotated in each individual leg member by rotation to adjust the height of table top 1 and to provide means to assure that all four legs are in contact with the surface Supporting the table.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention a shelf means is disposed beneath table top 1 which also supports legs 2a, 2b to improve the stability of the table. The leg supporting shelf assembly, as shown in the Figures, includes transverse brace means 16a, 16b to extend between the legs of pairs 2a, and 2b respectively as shown in the Figures. Shafts 16a, 16b are connected to sleeves members 6a, 6b which can be moved longitudinally along leg members 2a, 2b respectively to move shaft 16a, 16b and the shelf assembly from a position adjacent table top 1 to a position intermediate the ends of legs 2a, 2b.

In the example of the Figures a pair of spaced sleeves 5a are rotatably mounted on support 1611 and, as shown in FIG. 5, a sleeve 7 is connected to each sleeve 5a to extend radially therefrom.

As shown, a pair of spaced sleeves 5b are rotatably mounted on support 16b and longitudinal brace means 12 are connected to sleeve means 5b at one end while, advantageously, as shown in FIG. 5 the other end of each brace is received in telescoping relation by sleeve 7 to slide therein. An additional support assembly having element 13, 14, as shown, can be connected to braces 12 to provide additional strength for the assembly and to serve as a shelf. If desired, other shelf means, for example a solid surface can be provided to serve as a shelf member.

As shown in FIG. 6, pins 36b can be provided to limit the movement of sleeves Sa-Sb on transverse support shafts 16a, 16b, and prevent uncontrolled lateral movement of the brace assembly along the shaft. Likewise, as shown in FIG. 7, stop ins 37 can be provided to limit travel of sleeves 6a, 6b on legs 2a, 2b to correspondingly limit the extent of travel of the shelf assembly. Pins 37 can be removably fastened to legs 2a, 2b (by means not shown) so that the position of the shelf assembly on legs 2a, 2b can be selected as desired.

To fold the table from the erect position shown in FIG, 1 to the closed position (not shown), brace means 40, 4b are released from legs 2a, 2b, respectively, by removing pins 8 and folding braces 4a, 4b so they are received in depending edges la beneath table top 1. The brace assembly is moved along legs 2a, 2b to a position adjacent table top 1 and legs 2a, 2b are then folded toward table top 1. It will be noted that as legs 20, 2b are folded toward table 1 each support means 12 slides into its sleeve 7 to, advantageously, effectively decrease the length of the brace assembly to permit leg means 2a, 2b to be folded to nesting position beneath table top 1 and within depending ledges la.

To open the table the foregoing procedure is reversed so the legs of leg pairs 20, 2b are extended outwardly from table top 1 and the leg brace assembly is moved along legs 2a, 2b to a selected position, for example abutting pins 37 on legs 2a, 2b. Braces 4a, 4b are then removed from table top 1 to lets 2a, 2b and pins 8 and are inserted in the appropriate locations hereinbefore described.

The invention claimed:

1. A folding table comprising: a table top; a multiplicity of leg means pivotably connected to said table top so said leg means can be swung relative to the table top between a first position adjacent, and generally parallel to, said table top and a second position extending generally laterally from said table top; first sleeve means slidably attached to leg means to be moved along said leg means from a first position adjacent said table top to a second position at an intermediate location along said leg means; connecting shaft means interconnecting first sleeve means; second sleeve means connected to selected connecting shaft means; leg brace means having one end connected to selected connecting shaft means and a second end received in sliding telescoping relation in second sleeve means so a portion of said leg brace means is received by and withdrawn from said second sleeve means as said leg means are folded to and away from said table top.

2. A folding table comprising: a table top; at least two leg assembly means, each including at least two leg means, pivotably connected to said table top to be swung outwardly relative to the table top between a first position adjacent and generally parallel to said table top and a second position extending generally laterally from said table top; first sleeve means slidably connected to each said leg means of each said leg assembly; connecting shaft means interconnecting said first sleeve means of each leg assembly; second sleeve means connected to selected connecting shaft means; leg brace means having a first end connected to selected connecting shaft means with a second end received in second sleeve means in telescoping relation so a portion of said leg brace means is received by and withdrawn from said second sleeve means as said leg means are folded to and away from said table top.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first end of said brace means is pivotably connected to said connecting shaft means and said second sleeve means is pivotably connected to selected connecting shaft means. 

1. A folding table comprising: a table top; a multiplicity of leg means pivotably connected to said table top so said leg means can be swung relative to the table top between a first position adjacent, and generally parallel to, said table top and a second position extending generally laterally from said table top; first sleeve means slidably attached to leg means to be moved along said leg means from a first position adjacent said table top to a second position at an intermediate location along said leg means; connecting shaft means interconnecting first sleeve means; second sleeve means connected to selected connecting shaft means; leg brace means having one end Connected to selected connecting shaft means and a second end received in sliding telescoping relation in second sleeve means so a portion of said leg brace means is received by and withdrawn from said second sleeve means as said leg means are folded to and away from said table top.
 2. A folding table comprising: a table top; at least two leg assembly means, each including at least two leg means, pivotably connected to said table top to be swung outwardly relative to the table top between a first position adjacent and generally parallel to said table top and a second position extending generally laterally from said table top; first sleeve means slidably connected to each said leg means of each said leg assembly; connecting shaft means interconnecting said first sleeve means of each leg assembly; second sleeve means connected to selected connecting shaft means; leg brace means having a first end connected to selected connecting shaft means with a second end received in second sleeve means in telescoping relation so a portion of said leg brace means is received by and withdrawn from said second sleeve means as said leg means are folded to and away from said table top.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first end of said brace means is pivotably connected to said connecting shaft means and said second sleeve means is pivotably connected to selected connecting shaft means. 